Citynet Cares

Each year, Citynet employees give back to their communities, by supporting local non-profits, causes, and community organizations. Citynet would like to thank its employees for the many hours they dedicate to their communities and beyond.

Anne Christopher

Anne is a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer -- speaking out and representing the best interests of abused and neglected children in the court system and other settings in Monongalia County.

CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to watch over and advocate for abused and neglected children, to make sure they don't get lost in the overburdened legal and social service system or languish in inappropriate group or foster homes. Volunteers stay with each case until it is closed and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. For many abused children, their CASA volunteer will be the one constant adult presence in their lives.

Independent research has demonstrated that children with a CASA volunteer are substantially less likely to spend time in long-term foster care and less likely to reenter care. CASA volunteers have helped more than two million children find safe, permanent homes.

Anne's passion is to make sure that what has happened to them before will never happen to them again. She becomes a consistent, reliable person in their chaotic world. She also helps to find safe, permanent, love-filled homes for these babies and children who have sometimes known nothing but abuse and neglect.

Anne says, "I want to help the community where I raise my children. I want to show the children that have no hope that there is hope and that with patience and persistence, everyone can make a difference."

For more information about how you can help children in need by becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate, please visit www.casaforchildren.org

Citynet embraces Anne for her persistence and caring in advocting for these deserving children. Changing lives and giving hope for children, families and communities offers each of us encouragement to get involved.

Charles Morris

Director of Citynet Switch Operations
Boy Scouts of America

The Boy Scouts encourages its members to "always do your best." Charles has genuinely taken this to heart. Although only a Cub Scout himself, Charles has encouraged his sons, ages 12 and 15, to pursue the rank of Boy Scout. As a way of finding a common ground with his sons, Charles has been leading the Boy Scouts for five years and the title of "Community Chair". While still leading Scouts directly, Charles also deals with the business sideof the operation.

Through their weekly meetings and their method of teaching via entertaining activities, Charles is able to help the boys become better, more accomplished individuals. When a child comes
up to him and tells Charles how much fun he had and how much he enjoyed an activity, Charles knows that the child learned something and that he is doing the right thing: this is the most rewarding part. The Boy Scouts operate around a value-based system; through this system these young men are encouraged to help their community and become better citizens themselves.

Charles has implemented The "Cash for Cans" program in Citynet's Columbus office: aluminum cans are collected and the Boy Scouts pick them up on a regular basis. This program allows Citynet to both help out the community and to protect the environment.

Charles also utilizes his skills in technology and administration to lend a hand at his church.

The idea that keeps Charles going and lets him know that he is truly making a difference is this: If you touch one person's life, they in turn can touch ten, and then those ten also can touch ten more people. As a result of one seemingly small, insignificant act, a person can actually make a big difference.

Craig Behr

Vice President & General Manger, Citynet Managed Services
Craig serves as Treasurer for the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties.

United Way's role is to enhance the quality of life in the community by helping those in need. This is accomplished through an annual fund-raising campaign to support local health and human service agencies, participation in community problem-solving strategies, and by providing a variety of support activities to local charitable services.

Craig also serves on the Board of Directors for Mountaineer Boys and Girls Club. Boys andGirl Club programs and services promote and enhance the development of kids by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence. Boys & Girls Clubs are truly The Positive Place For Kids.

Citynet extends its gratitude to Craig Behr for lending his expertise to these valuable community organizations. Craig's life-long dedication to Volunteerism serves as such a strong example for each of us to give back to our communities. Thank you, Craig!

Mike Maxey

Citynet Network Engineering Team Member
We're all winners.

That's not the easiest thing to try to explain to a child who has missed a goal, failed a test, or fallen and scraped a knee , but Mike Maxey, father, coach, and scouting enthusiast, has done
his best to instill a sense of confidence and self-worth in the children whose lives he has touched over the past several years.

Mike began as a volunteer coach for the Marion County Youth Soccer Association three years ago in order to be more involved with his son. He soon found out that coaching is a great way to not only spend quality time with his child, but also to get the boys and girls in his community outside and physically active and teach them the fundamentals of soccer.

Maxey believes, "Kids need to know that it is okay to get active and play outdoors. It's a great start to a healthy lifestyle." The co-ed U8 Recreational League does not track wins or losses and in fact, does not even keep score. They work together as a team to get the ball in the goal, and as an added bonus, get to have great fun in the process. Practices take place after school at Pleasant Valley Elementary, and all games are played at the Soccer Complex on Route 250 from Fairmont to Mannington. Mike invites everyone to come out and watch some great soccer!

In addition to coaching, Maxey also helps out with the members of his son's Tiger Scout Troop. He regularly attends all the meetings and does what he can in support of Marion County's Mountaineer Area Council Pack #12. In his opinion, the Boy Scouts (and Girl Scouts) are another great program for kids to learn about the outdoors and core values that will help them to be better people in general.

For someone who doesn't care much about who is in first place, Mike is certainly number one in the hearts of many members of his community.

Citynet congratulates Mike Maxey for volunteering his time and talents. Giving his energies to these kids encourages Volunteerism in the future generations. Please, use Mike's story as your inspiration to get out there with your communitiy and give back. Thank you, Mike!

Kathy Kent Morrison

Citynet Administrative Assistant
Dedicated to the Arts and Community Service

Kathy is a Board member of Act 2 Theatre Company and volunteers her time to keeping the art of community theatre alive and growing in Harrison County. The organization is governed by a volunteer board of directors, presenting shows that are cast and staffed with volunteer performers and crew and are directed by volunteer directors and producers.

She also serves on the Board of Trustees at the First United Methodist Church in Clarksburg and is a Kiwanis Board member. Kiwanis Club of Clarksburg is part of a global service organization that is dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time. You can visit www.kiwanis.org to find your local chapter.

Through the Clarksburg League for Service, Kathy volunteers for projects helping families of Harrison County. Amy's Attic partners with schools and social service agencies to provide needed goods for children and families such as new and nearly new household items, baby clothes and diapers, new school clothes, career wear, formal attire for high school proms, jeans and school supplies.

Kathy encourages others to consider being a part of a service organization in their community.

Steve Thompson

Steve Thompson's passion is his neighborhood; Summit Park. Steve started a Facebook page where more than 350 members can keep in touch, share memories and learn a little of the
history of their community. He volunteers to help people with home or automobile repairs, lawn work, computers, and assists with moving or hauling.

He also gives many hours to the Summit Park Field, the Summit Park Volunteer Fire Department, participates on the Board of the Summit Park Association and works on many events which put money back into his community.

Drew Pridemore

Team Leader - Retail Sales Support
Muscular Dystrophy Association

Drew recently participated in an annual fundraiser for MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association). In October, they took him to the MDA Jail. While incarcerated, Drew raised over $850…enough to send a very deserving child to the MDA Summer Camp.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.

Kristen Heiser

Director, Marketing & Communications
Tail-Waggin' Therapy

Kristen and Teddy, her Ariedale Terrier, brighten patients' hospital stays. Visiting hospital and nursing home patients can sound quite depressing but watching Teddy bringing smiles to patients, families and hospital staff is well worth the time. Kristen and Teddy completed hours of training and passed intensive testing through Therapy Dogs International in order to become certified to work in various settings. Watching Teddy navigate the hospital equipment, IV lines, respiratory equipment, feeding tubes and performing his antics is quite inspiring. The best reward is seeing a patient quietly petting Ted, tears slipping onto his cheeks and speaking of his own dog or cat -- replacing despair with the hope of going home; of returning to a life outside of a hospital. Ted's work is done...for now.

Citynet congratulates Kristen for her Pet Therapy work and bringing hope of health and happiness to not only those injured or sick but also for staff and for Kristen and Teddy. Citynet encourages each of us to find that special niche in which we can make a difference like Kristen and Teddy. Giving back to our communities also gives back to us!

Bryan Smith

Technical Support Center RepresentativeThe Soup Opera

Bryan volunteers several days each month at The Soup Opera in Fairmont. Each day there begins early, as they prepare a menu based on the availability of donated food. Entrees are often freshly homemade such as soup, stew or a rice or pasta dish. They also serve pizza and hot dogs and always include vegetables, fresh greens, fruit salad, dessert and a beverage for a nutritious meal.

The Soup Opera serves an average of 36,000 meals a year and prepares 1500 emergency food orders. Shower and laundry facilities are also available to families in need, as well as a food pantry, clothing, bedding, dishes and personal care items.

Eric Spatafore

Senior Account ManagerUnited Way of Harrison County

Eric serves his community by volunteering as co-chair of the Technology Division for the United Way of Harrison County. His primary goal is to generate fundraising opportunities from the technology and government contracting organizations that are new to the local area.

United Way's role is to enhance the quality of life in the community by helping those in need. This is accomplished through an annual fund-raising campaign to support local health and human service agencies, participation in community problem-solving strategies and by providing a variety of support activities to local charitable services.

Jonathan Ayoob

Director, Human ResourcesLighthouse Baptist Church

Jonathan volunteers his time and his talents for the Lighthouse Baptist Church, in Salem, WV. He designed their website and continues to actively and innovatively update their site. His resourcefulness has helped them communicate to visitors exactly who they are, where they've been and what they believe and allows their members to keep up with the churches events, current missions and messages.

Jeff Pratt

Senior Software DeveloperWalk the Talk Mentor

For the past two years, Jeff has met weekly with a group of Capital High School students as their "Walk the Talk" mentor. Through this program, Jeff has helped his mentees explore career options, set career goals and plan for post-secondary education. Many "Walk the Talk" students do not have positive adult role models in their lives. Jeff has taken on this task for the students he works with. Over the past couple years, Jeff has developed a strong relationship with the students he works with and is dedicated to ensuring they are successful.

"Walk the Talk" is a mentoring model offered by The Education Alliance that aims to help at-risk high school students complete high school and pursue post-secondary education. It is a four-year leadership development club that matches students with caring business mentors.

The students in Jeff's mentoring group are seniors and are expected to graduate in 2013. Over the next couple months they will explore college and career options to ensure the students are prepared for life after graduation. Jeff looks forward to seeing his students walk across the stage at graduation this year. Even though each of his students are unique, Jeff knows they each have a bright future ahead of them. Jeff hopes his time and dedication to this program will make a positive impact on the students' lives.